Latest thoughts on Pete Carroll’s dance with Seattle

Share this:

Watching the Baltimore Ravens annihilate the New England Patriots in their playoff opener this morning and wondering if Pete Carroll is having flashbacks to his Patriots’ departure and second thoughts on a Seahawks decision …

Pete Carroll

OK, Carroll presumably is eager for new challenges. And getting the Seahawks even back to playoff contention would be Challenge No. 1.

Don’t read too much into rumblings that the deal is in jeopardy because Seattle isn’t offering total control. Both he and the Seahawks understand the situation with the Rooney Rule requirements.

Both sides want this to happen and it will get done, albeit with a little tweaking of job titles. Look for an announcement by Monday at the latest.

Personally, given more and more time to digest the Seahawks’ surprising developments, I’m intrigued by the idea of Carroll leading the revival.

I don’t think Jim Mora got a fair shake with just one season at the helm, but I did have a nagging feeling that the train was off the tracks and Mora was going to have trouble getting it right with the current cast of characters.

So rather than bring in a new general manager now, wallow through another year of uncertainty and then likely make a coaching change, I give Paul Allen credit for cutting through the process and deciding to go for the complete overhaul in one swoop.

It’s a bold — and expensive — move. And another indication that Allen, while largely removed from day-to-day decisions, is more than willing to make tough calls when he feels change is required.

While many Seattle fans are expressing doubts and questioning Carroll’s NFL track record, the national perspective seems largely to be that the Seahawks are making a smart move.

Boomer Esiason played quarterback for Carroll with the New York Jets in 1994 and sung his praises on the CBS pregame show this morning:

“I loved him as a head coach,” Esiason said. “He was detailed down to the last item. I think he’s a terrific coach. He’s definitely prepared for this. He’s learned from his past experience with the Patriots and Jets and I think this is a terrific move by the Seattle Seahawks.”

And from NBC co-host Bill Cowher, the former Steelers coach:

“It’s all about timing. I think in this situation he feels like he’s done everything he can at USC. He’s won two national championships. He’s a West Coast guy. The Seahawks job opens up and I think right now Pete Carroll feels like he’s a better coach than the last time he was in the NFL. It’s about the challenge that lies ahead. I totally understand where he’s coming from and I think it’s a good move.”